Allison Rose Foundation fundraiser promotes food allergy awareness, education

The Independence-based Allison Rose Foundation is hosting its second annual fundraiser, the Yellow Brick Road Celebration, on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 7-11 p.m. at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Cleveland Rockside, 5800 Rockside Woods Blvd. in Independence.

The evening will include heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, raffles and auctions. Attire is casual. Featuring Broadway star Jessica Vosk, who played Elphaba in Wicked, the event encourages individuals to advocate for food allergy awareness.

In November 2018, the parents of Allison Rose Suhy created the foundation, which is dedicated to changing the lives of food allergy families through education, awareness, research and advocacy. Allison lived with a severe nut allergy since she was a toddler, but she never had a life-threatening reaction until her freshman year at Ohio University in November 2017. She developed a food allergic reaction and a lack of oxygen took her life.

Throughout its first year, the Allison Rose Foundation developed a physician-driven, evidence-based food allergy curriculum. In collaboration with a medical advisory board and a team of instructors —all trained firefighters/paramedics – the foundation offers an engaging, impactful and life-saving lesson to students, faculty and staff.

This year, the foundation is raising funds to showcase its presence at the Cleveland Clinic’s new Food Allergy Center of Excellence, as well as expand its educational curriculum and scholarships, create additional awareness campaigns, contribute to research and advocate for change to save lives. Last year, 600 guests attended the fundraiser, helping the foundation raise more than $100,000. The goal this year is to surpass those attendance and fundraising numbers. For more information, visit allisonrosefoundation.org.